Sunday, June 19, 2016

Shhh...please, don't tell them that they're Certified Vegan, Kosher, Dairy-Free, Grain-Free, Peanut-Free, Gluten-Free and Non-GMO because they taste FULL of fresh yummy goodness!

...and I mean who could resist a treat that has a tattoo as rad as this "Non-GMO" Roller Derby girl.

My girls instantly fell in love with Ms. Non-GMO and had to put on the tattoos right away. I won't lie I felt pretty awesome sporting mine too!

What's better is that I felt really good about letting my girls snack on these Merry Bites™ because they don't have highly-refined sugar or flour and include raw plant-based oils that are important for their growing bodies. In our home, we don't believe in non-fat foods - unless they're naturally occurring. Instead, if you do your research, you'll learn thatthe body benefits from healthy fats in moderation.

The process some companies go through to remove fat, with machines that spin them so fast that their natural structure breaks down and separates, seems so wrong to me.

Merry Bites™ are created in a women-owned ((fist bump)) kitchen by dehydrating at a low-temperature. Traditional snack baking at high heats removes much of the beneficial properties of the raw oils and ingredients - which just doesn't make sense, now does it. Because of this process, Hail Merry® cookies are totally FRESH, and won't sit on your self for months and be okay - and that's totally okay with me.

I'd rather have to refrigerate a product, knowing that all the natural occurring health benefits remain intact, than to have a snack that can sit on my shelf for a year because of all the junk preservatives it contains.

You can find Merry Bites™ in these awesome flavors:

Lemon Macaroon

Caramel Sea Salt *my favorite*

Salted Brownie

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough *my girls favorite*

Pure Vanilla Macaroon and

Dark Chocolate Macaroon

So, while refrigeration is recommended when storing these tasty non-GMO treats, the cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature.

EXPERIMENT

(Cold or Room Temp - trying it two ways)

#1. Straight from the fridge#2. Leaving it on the counter for 30 minutes before eating

.....................Ugh, the waiting is the hardest part.

RESULTS

#1. The cold, straight-from-the-fridge version was good, but kind of flaky, and primarily the coconut flavor was prominent. Some of the other flavors couldn't break through, and weren't fully developed in my opinion.

#2. When the cookies are left on the counter, and reach
room temperature, the coconut oils in the product begin to melt (at 76 degrees), so the Merry Bites™will essentially melt in your mouth. ALL of the flavors come together and really sing, especially in the Caramel Sea Salt!

CONCLUSION

Set those sweet babies on the dang counter before enjoying!

If you haven't already stumbled across Hail Merry® products at your local grocery store, you can find out which store near you carries these delicious treats at: http://www.hailmerry.com/where-to-buy

The girls just got themselves into this peaceful, loving embrace after I let them taste the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Merry Bites™.

Maybe because they were made using Fair Trade Certified™ dark cocoa, they're feeling the world love.

Or, maybe just because they're my weird little kids.

I received product for free from Moms Meet,
May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As
a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest
opinion on my blog. The opinions posted here are my own.

Friday, June 17, 2016

I was given complimentary products to facilitate this review post. All opinions are 100% my own and may not reflect that of the company described.

Fancy loose-leaf teas, a travel tea tumbler and tea maker might make you think this is a post about the Mother's Day gift I received.

It's not.

This is what my husband wants to receive for Father's Day!

He is one of those strange ones who sticks his nose up to coffee, and instead would prefer a loose-leaf oolong or earl grey tea.

My hubby has a pretty strict routine for preparing his tea.

The water has to be set at the correct temperature, depending on the type of tea (green, black, oolong, etc) so as not to scorch the tea, and the timer set for just the right brewing duration.

Tea bags? What's that!

(he calls it "tea dust")

All this to say, that his tea brewing equipment needs to work well for him to give his "thumbs up" approval and the Trudeau Tea Maker and Tea Tumbler got TWO thumbs up - (I couldn't wait until Father's Day to give it to him)

The stainless steel basket insert is perfectly constructed to handle your finest loose-leaf teas - unlike some other tea makers we've tried that's holes are so large little bits of tea leaves will be floating in your cup - NO Thanks!

Another one of his usual complains about teaware, is that many brew barely a small 6oz. cup of tea, which is too quickly enjoyed.

The Trudeau Tea Maker boasts a full 20 oz. so you can have a cup and share one with your partner!

Enjoy freshly brewed tea with your partner!

If I'm nice and buy him some new oolong, he promised to make me a cup, here's to hoping!

So, the trial run worked out great. Perfectly brewed loose-leaf tea in a super easy to clean tea maker (only a few parts that come out easily and a quick handwash to clean).

I love that the heat resistant canister allows you to see the beautiful color of your tea which adds to the relaxing experience of drinking tea.

I
don't have any photos of the Tea Tumbler in actual use, because my husband
quickly snatched it up, took it to his work and has been using it
since.

His report however, is that it works great with is loose-leaf stash of tea at work and the insert is large enough that the tea leaves have room to unfurl and reach their full brewing potential. Yayyy!

So, you're thinking how can you find out more about these awesome tea brewing products?

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ElevateSalads #CollectiveBias

I really wish there was a drive-thru sushi restaurant, or vegetarian wrap to-go establishment somewhere on my route from home to my daughter's preschool, library, T-ball practice, playdates, gym, instead of the standard burger joint.

With three daughters under the age of six, there is little time for cold-pressing our own juice, or milking a cow for raw milk, or picking our own blueberries for their antioxidant power.

It's just not realistic.

With a little planning ahead, a healthier eating pattern for us moms and dads who are constantly on the go, is actually achievable.

I've started slow, but am actually doing it - and have toned up and lost pounds by following a few of these simple steps, which started by exploring all theelevĀte salad options at Costco.

Step 1. Pack Your Lunch The Night Before

This may seem like a no-brainer, but when I start my morning running, because my youngest - 2 years old - woke up with wet sheets, and I forgot I had to finish drying my 5yr old's Tball uniform for her game today, and then missed the email that it's "Crazy Hair Day" at preschool in one hour = no healthy lunch today!

This is precisely why we end up going through the fast food drive-thru between picking up my daughter from preschool and taking her to the library, then TBall practice - I didn't plan ahead.

A simple salad, like the one above can be packed in a lunch bag with an ice pack and will stay fresh for hours.

You know, not just any salad from the grocery store will provide you with the protein and carbohydrates you need to stay going all day.

Many of the cheap brands are filled with....well fillers, and super fatty and sugary salad dressings. So, please read the label.

Step 2. Find Healthy Lunch Options At Costco

I, recently found a great option for a super convenient, healthy lunch on the go at Costco - elevĀte salads - perfect for when I don't have time to chop, slice, bottle and seal my lunch!

If you're like me, Costco can often seem daunting in it's organization of where they put and move items.

However, each time I've been to shop, the elevĀte salads are always in the same area. Go to the back of Costco, across from the Deli in the refrigerated aisle (pictured above)...near the cheese and meat section.

Easy-peasy. Now the only thing you have to decide is....

Nutty Cranberry or Spinach Pow!

Step 3. Get The Kids On Board

My girls are great at eating samples
helping me shop, but when it came to choosing a salad they just said
"whatever one you want, mama" - and off they went to run the shopping
cart down the aisle like Danica Patrickwannabes.

When
I re-directed them back to the two salad options, they did end up
choosing the pretty shiny cranberry option, aka. Nutty Cranberry - and I'm glad they did.

It's so important to talk to your kiddos about healthy food options, starting at an early age, and why certain foods are better than othersin a way they can understand.

So, we talk to our girls about foods that have protein to help build big, strong muscles and carbohydrates to give the girls energy to play!

I will say that my 2 year old was the biggest fan of this salad.... and there is proof for once:

The Bookend: "Where you get that from, mommy?"

Me: "I got it from Costco"

The Bookend: "I LIKE THAT!"

Isn't she cute?

Step 4.Enjoy Healthy Food On-The-Go

We heard that a local art museum, was opening it's doors in Sacramento for a family-fun day last weekend, and since we hadn't visited before we figured this was the best chance to go on the cheap!

I packed the kids a lunch, since it was the end of the month, and we didn't have extra money to spend on a lunch out.

Hey! Score! I had two elevĀte salads left from our Costco run, so packed those for me and daddy.

We had an amazing family experience at the art museum, plus had a picnic lunch which cost us next to nothing and saved about $45 bucks, which is what we would have spent at the museum cafe for 5 of us!

Sweet!

So, follow my lead and start planning ahead and packing meals, because I promise you...anything from your pantry or fridge is probably better for you than a fast-food burger is.

Tell me now, how could you argue with this little face who loves this salad and keeps telling me it's her favorite!

Hurry, someone, tell me where to hide my salads, so she won't eat them all!